Living a Nordic Life with Fiona McKinna

Changing our habits in small ways can have a huge impact on our lives, but we don't need to sweep everything off the table to make a difference and to feel great again. Nordic habits are the things that have had the greatest benefit on my life, and in this episode I want to share how they can help you too wherever you are in the world. For more Nordic living, visit the Living a Nordic Life ww...

What makes a folk tale? In this episode I talk to Eric Stavney of Nordic on Tap about the importance of folk tales in our lives and what Nordic folk tales mean to him. Eric is a passionate podcaster and storyteller and his podcast is inspiring and enlightening.  You can find Eric's podcast at www.nordicontap.com For more Nordic living, visit the Living a Nordic Life www.livinganordiclife.com...

In the late summer and early autumn the forests in Norway are full not only of berries, but berry pickers.  It can be a bit of a surprise for those of us not born to it, but the annual berry picking trip is embraced with a huge amount of enthusiasm here.  So how can we have own Nordic inspired berry trip? For more Nordic living, visit the Living a Nordic Life www.livinganordiclife.com or join us i...

I am a firm advocate of keeping hens, but it's for more than simply to collect eggs.  They offer us so many things including a wonderful benefit to our mental health.  So if you are considering keeping chickens and not quite sure, let me share some reasons why you will love chicken keeping. For more Nordic living, visit the Living a Nordic Life www.livinganordiclife.com or join us in the Livi...

Nostalgia has a special way of raising our level of happiness and we don't even have to have experienced something to appreciate the nostalgia For more Nordic living, visit the Living a Nordic Life www.livinganordiclife.com or join us in the Living a Nordic Life Facebook group www.facebook.com/groups/livinganordiclife

Nordic conversations are not quite the same as conversations we might have elsewhere.  There are some subtle differences that you might miss if you weren't looking for them but I am going to share a few with you in this episode. For more Nordic living, visit the Living a Nordic Life www.livinganordiclife.com or join us in the Living a Nordic Life Facebook group www.facebook.com/groups/livinga...

17 May is Norway's national day and after Christmas is probably the biggest celebration of the year for Norwegians.  It's taken very seriously with parades, parties and nationwide festivities. But you don't have to live in Norway to celebrate like a Norwegian.  Let me inspire you to create your own Syttende Mai celebration wherever you are in the world. For more Nordic living, visit...

Hyttelivet or cabin life is an integral part of the Nordic life.  Many people in Norway have access to a cabin either as owners or a family cabin and they are often in fairly remote areas.  Hyttelivet is not just about spending time at your cabin; it's a whole way of life including certain activities, cabin friends and even what you eat. For more Nordic living, visit the Living a Nordic Life...

Nordic schools are often hailed as being the best in the world and they are certainly ver good, but as a new parent in te Nordics (or one arriving from another country) what can you expect to find in a Norwegian school?  In this episode I share my own experiences as a foreigner in Norway with 3 children and hopefully allay some of your fears and answer some of your questions about what to expect i...

Easter in the Nordics is a time of longer days, shorter evenings and some more unusual traditions that you might not expect like "påskekrim" or Easter crime.  And no it's not a crazy festival of crime as you might at first suspect.... For more Nordic living, visit the Living a Nordic Life www.livinganordiclife.com or join us in the Living a Nordic Life Facebook group www.facebook.co...

After a long, dark winter the promise of spring is pretty exciting in the Nordics.  And it's really embraced with gentle enthusiasm.  The slight warmth from the sun is never wasted and you will find that normally reserved Norwegians are all out and about making the most of those first rays. It's an infectious time of joy and optimism.  So how can we all embrace spring like we're Nor...

The Nordic diet and way of eating has been popular for many years and there are lots of different resources showing us how to do it.  But how do people eat here in the Nordics everyday?  I invite into my life for a glimpse of how my family and I eat a Nordic diet (in Norway), the way we eat and foods we enjoy (and avoid). For more Nordic living, visit the Living a Nordic Life www.livinganordiclife...

So many of us enjoy gardening as a way to slow down and be more intentional and it's even more rewarding if we can grow something to eat.  In this episode I am joined by guests Ines & Eric Batterton from My Nordic Garden who talk us through the initial steps to starting a beautiful, sustainable kitchen garden. You can visit Ines and Eric's website at www.mynordicgarden.ca For more ab...

Sometimes even simple changes can make a difference to our lives and in my time living in Norway I have noticed a few things that have made really positive changes in my life.  In this episode I share 5 simple ways that you can add some Nordic routine to your life.  They are all easy to implement and the great news is that you can start today, right now in fact! For more Nordic living, visit the L...

Boring doesn't have to be...well... boring.  It has a hidden power to it that takes a bit of digging to find.  It can bring security and comfort.  Let me tell you more.. For more Nordic living, visit the Living a Nordic Life www.livinganordiclife.com or join us in the Living a Nordic Life Facebook group www.facebook.com/groups/livinganordiclife

God jul fra Norge, Merry Christmas from Norway. Join me on a little journey through a Nordic Christmas as I paint you a picture of what Christmas is like in Norway with it's snow, pine trees and cosy winters. For more Nordic living, visit the Living a Nordic Life www.livinganordiclife.com or join us in the Living a Nordic Life Facebook group www.facebook.com/groups/livinganordiclife

Nordic Christmases are as magical as you would imagine with snowy scenes, the smells of spices and hot gløgg and all the beautiful Christmas decor you would expect.  But we don't need to live in the Nordics to bring some Nordic festive feel to our own lives.  Let me give you some ideas to bring that into your own festivities.    If you are struggling to get outside over the winter, I have a c...

You might think that knitting is for grandmas, but I can assure you that knitting in the Nordics is something that is very much alive and well!  Join me for a journey through Norwegian knitting culture as we look at it's origins from the 1500s right up to the present day and the most popular and recognisable pattern, the Marius For more Nordic living, visit the Living a Nordic Life www.living...

Winter can be a daunting time for many people, but somehow everyone in the Nordics seems to look forward to it.  So what is the secret to enjoying and embracing winter like you're Nordic? If you want to learn how to truly embrace winter like you're Norwegian then take a look at my Loving Winter Like You're Nordic course  -  https://payhip.com/b/ePrCW For more Nordic living, visit th...

The Nordic schooling system is often hailed as being one of the best in the world, but is it really like? My youngest daughter recently started kindergarten in our small village in Norway and I have been really impressed with it, so I thought it would be informative and interesting to share our experiences of a Norwegian kindergarten. For more Nordic living, visit the Living a Nordic Life www.livi...

In the Nordic countries and Scandinavia keeping traditions and skills alive is very important and because of this there is a deep appreciation of craftsmanship.  Knitting, carving and ancient skills that have been passed down through generations and link us to the past are held in high regard and as such people who have these skills are well paid and able in their turn to train the next generation...

Friluftsliv is such a huge part of life in the Nordics.  It means outdoor living, but it is so much more than just getting outside.  It's all about taking care of our mental and physical wellbeing by being outside in nature and enjoying all the benefits that has to offer to us. But why even bother?  Let me give you a few reasons to get some Nordic friluftsliv into your own life For more Nordi...

As we head into autumn in the northern hemisphere we want to create cosy, welcoming homes ready for the colder days of winter.  Lighting is something that can make us feel instantly warm and cosy, or conversely cold and uncomfortable.   This is where the art of hygge lighting comes in... For more Nordic living, visit the Living a Nordic Life www.livinganordiclife.com or join us in the Living a Nor...

No, not an actual law but a secret code of "rules" that influences every part of Nordic life from the way we treat others to the Nordic characteristic modesty.  But what is it exactly?  Let me tell you more about it.. For more Nordic living, visit the Living a Nordic Life www.livinganordiclife.com or join us in the Living a Nordic Life Facebook group www.facebook.com/groups/livinganordic...

For some people autumn is an effortless love affair, but for others it's a tough season to love.  I was one of those who dreaded autumn, but since moving to Norway I have learnt to love it and I want you to love it too. For more Nordic living, visit the Living a Nordic Life www.livinganordiclife.com or join us in the Living a Nordic Life Facebook group www.facebook.com/groups/livinganordiclif...